Home births transferred to hospital 'more risky'

Mothers who opt for a home birth but then have to be transferred to hospital face greater risks, a new study has found.

Researchers looked at all births in England and Wales between 1994 and 2003 and found that the death rate for home births was low.

However, the rate of death for intended home births that were subsequently transferred to hospital was eight times higher than the average.

Professor Philip Steer, editor-in-chief of the BJOG journal, commented: 'This does not mean that home births are unsafe but that the series of events during labour are sometimes unpredictable. Recourse to quick action makes a difference.'

Dame Karlene Davis, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, insisted that women planning a home birth should 'not be worried'.

'The nature of transfer means that complications are anticipated or evident,' she explained.

'We encourage women to discuss all the birth options with their midwife to make the decision that best suits them.

'Wherever women choose to give birth, they should be offered a safe and satisfying birth experience, and midwives are working hard to improve the high level of care they already give.'

NetDoctor, part of the Hearst UK wellbeing network
Netdoctor participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.